UPDATE, 11:55: Maddon said he considered all 4 lefty hitters for the last spot in the lineup but chose Joyce (over Kelly Johnson, Sam Fuld or James Loney) in hopes it gets the struggling Joyce going, based on a theory that sometimes facing a tough lefty can be a good thing. He did admit it was pure conjecture however. ... Maddon also said Longoria will now bat third vs. lefthanders but will remain fourth vs. RHPs. Maddon said the theory that a team has to puts its best hitter third is a myth and a fairytale.

DEVELOPING: The rain has stopped, though it is still brutally cold here in Boston this morning, 38 degrees with a "feels-like" of 32 as of 9:40 a.m. anyway.

But there will be baseball, and after a day off and a rain out, that's a good thing for the Rays.

Evan Longoria will again be hitting third, as manager Joe Maddon tries to find a way to get their best hitter better pitches. And the one lefty in the lineup vs. Boston LHP Jon Lester will be Matt Joyce, though hitting ninth.

About the blog

The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.